Soeharto`s remains to be flown to Solo Monday morning

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The mortal remains of former president Soeharto will be flown to Solo, Central Java, by a Hercules VVIP plane on Monday morning for burial at the Astana Giri Bangun graveyard in Karanganyar about 30 km southeast of Solo.

The plane will take off from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta at 8.30 a.m.

Commander of the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base Air Commodore Boy Sharil Qomar said a ceremony to pay last respects to Soeharto will be held at Adi Sumarmo Airport in Solo.

"No ceremony will be held at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base to pay last respects to Soeharto and such a ceremony has been held at his Cendana residence," he said.

The deceased will be received in a military ceremony upon arrival at Adi Sumarmo Airport, he said.

"After the ceremony at Adi Sumarmo Airport, the deceased will be carried to the Astana Giri Bangun graveyard under escort of presidential guards and Central Java regional military command personnel," he said.

He said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla will arrive in Solo earlier to receive the deceased in a ceremony.

"The President is scheduled to leave for Solo at 6.30 a.m and the Vice President at 6 a.m," he said.

President Yudhoyono will fly to Solo by a Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737-500.

Minister/State Secretary Hatta Rajasa said President Yudhoyono lead the state funeral of former president Soeharto at the Astana Giri Bangun graveyard.

Meanwhile, House of Representatives (DPR) Chairman Agung Laksono will see off the deceased at Soeharto`s residence on Jalan Cendana, Central Jakarta, Hatta said.

Under Law No.7/1978, the state is responsible for the funeral of a former president, he said.

Based on Government Regulation No. 2/1990, the president in his capacity as the head of state shall instruct all government and private agencies, Indonesian missions abroad and the general public to hoist the Red-and-White half mast from January 27 through February 2 to mourn the former Indonesian second president`s death.

"Seven days are declared as national mourning days," he said.

Soeharto died on Sunday of multiple organ failure at Pertamina Hospital after more than three weeks of intensive medical treatment at the hospital. He was 86.

Top state officials and foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the state funeral, including Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, former prime minister Mahathir Muhammad, former East Timor president Xanana Gusmao, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his deputy S Jayakumar, and former Philippine president Fidel Ramos.

In addition, all foreign ambassadors to Indonesia are expected to attend the state funeral.

On Sunday evening, tens of ranking officials and former officials paid their last respects to Soeharto at his Cendana residence.